Exclusive:Hearts devise their gameplan for Motherwell - plus Ageu latest

Derek McInnes wants Hearts to strike the right balance against Motherwell on Saturday and stressed he will send his team out to attack. The head coach is considering two wide players and two strikers again after using that approach in last week’s 2-2 draw at the Premiership’s bottom club, Livingston.

Lawrence Shankland returned to the starting line-up with a goal and an assist in West Lothian and the club captain is certain to partner Claudio Braga again up front. Alexandros Kyziridis and Islam Chesnokov were the two wide players last Sunday and could be selected again. Other options McInnes may consider include full-back Jordi Altena wide on the right, or reinstating Blair Spittal.

Stuart Findlay is fit to return in central defence and, with Marc Leonard suspended, Beni Baningime could find himself paired with Cammy Devlin in central midfield once again. McInnes spoke to the Edinburgh News to explain his thinking last week and what he wants to achieve this week as Hearts aim to stay top of the league.

“I've always tried to be as positive as we can. I've always wanted to do that,” he said. “I thought we were positive last week in the sense that we played with full-backs, we wanted them to play a bit higher on the outside of their shape. We played with wingers so that we try and get at the opposition. So, I actually think that how we set up was right against Livingston. I thought it was two wingers, two strikers. For the best part of the season, we've tried to be that. For us, it's important that, particularly at Tynecastle, we show belief and confidence in what we're doing and hopefully we can do that Saturday, regardless of the system.”

Motherwell’s possession-based style makes them a very different opponent than Livingston. They are the only team Hearts have not beaten this season and McInnes knows what to expect on Saturday. “I think there's no real surprise with Motherwell. Initially, maybe they had a different way of playing at the start of the season, but they've been very consistent with what they're trying to do and very good at what they've done for the majority of it,” he said.

“The reason they're a top-six team and fighting for European spots is that they've done so much right. They're a possession-based team, but even in a lot of games when they've had less possession, they've been very good at turning the ball over in certain areas of the pitch - whether that's higher up the pitch or on that mid-block, they're set up.

“In a way, I feel their out-of-possession stuff is as strong as what they try to do in possession. In possession, you can see what they're trying to do and they're pretty consistent with that. It's not too difficult to see what they're trying to do - overload the middle of the pitch and stretch you as much as you can.

“When they've got a striker like [Tawanda] Maswanhise who plays on the last line, then the threat of that and the fact that they're prepared to play him in behind and hit spaces as well gives you plenty of decisions to make on the pitch. We're going to need a lot of intelligence as well as making good decisions with the ball on Saturday.”

McInnes wants Hearts to go forward and put Motherwell under pressure but also avoid the defensive disjointedness that led to Livingston’s goals last week. Ball retention and penetrating passes will be important for the hosts in front of another capacity crowd at Tynecastle Park. “I think it's always important how you use the ball. You've got to try and play your natural game as much as you can,” said McInnes.

“We've got good footballers, good strikers. We are where we are in the league for a reason and we normally try and get the balance right. The decision for any manager or coach is to try and get that balance between attacking and defending. You can't just all be loaded to attack and you can't just be too defensive in these games, particularly at Tynecastle.

“For me, it's about getting that balance. I think we've tried to get that balance this season and we've got it right more often than not. That's why we're top of the league. Saturday will be no different. For us to overcome a team like Motherwell, we're going to have to do so much right.”

McInnes also offered a brief update on Hearts’ record signing Eduardo Ageu. He is out until next season because of a thigh injury and is currently receiving treatment in Portugal. Ageu did rehabilitation work there last year as he strove to recover from a hamstring problem. “He's doing his rehab work at a clinic and I think he’s due back late this month. I think he feels more comfortable with that,” confirmed McInnes.